If you read any of the “Top Resolutions for 2016” lists, you’ll notice that just like last year, people are resolving to lose weight, exercise more, eat better, and write that book. The reason these resolutions reappear probably has to do with the fact that our good intentions rarely arrive at the intended outcomes. We find the weight we lost, we can’t find our way to the gym in September, saying yes to sugar is easier than saying no, and books are hard to write.
Yet we continue to make resolutions. We continue to make resolutions because we continue to believe that change is possible, that a better life is on the other side of a few changes, and more.
As you make your resolutions I’d commend to you that you add one to the list that might make a difference in all of the rest. I’d ask you to put the Apostle Paul’s command to “pray without ceasing,” on your list (1 Thess. 5:17). Before your eyes glaze over at the mention of “praying,” consider for a second that this is a guy who helped lead a movement with less technological advancement, less 21st century “know how,” less organizational sophistication, that accomplished something more lasting than any one of us has.
You should pray without ceasing this year because:
God can do more in a moment than we can do in a lifetime – I forget where I first heard it, but a quick reading of Scripture certainly shows that it’s true. The psalmist tells us “our God is in the heavens and he does whatever he pleases” (Ps. 115:3). Whatever? Yes, whatever. He spoke the universe into existence (Gen. 1). He freed the Israelite slaves from the Egyptian super power (Ex. 4-12). When he came to earth as the God-man, Jesus, he gave sight to the blind, healed the sick, and raised the dead. He does whatever he pleases. Your view of prayer is shaped in large part by your view of God. When you see that God can do more in a moment than you can do in a lifetime, you see why you should start asking for his help.
God loves to show us that he is present, active, and able to work by answering our prayers – The powerful God of the Bible shows us he loves to answer prayers. Just look at the book of Acts and you’ll see over and over God answering prayers. Before the Apostle Peter’s preaching at Pentecost changed thousands of lives, there was the prayer time in the upper room (Act 1:14). Before the earthquake and evangelistic explosion, there was prayer (Acts 4:31). Before Tabitha was resurrected, the Apostle Peter prayed (Acts 9:40). Before the angel miraculously led Peter out of jail, the church prayed (Acts 12:5). You get the picture. God love to show that he is present, active, and able to do more in a moment than we can do in a lifetime by answering the prayers of his people.
God uses our unceasing prayers as a reminder of our unceasing dependence on Him – God designed us to be dependent on him. He is the Creator and we are his creation. Unfortunately, since sin entered into the world, we go against the grain of creation by trying to live independently of him. That’s why our lives are filled with such worry, anxiety, anger, and other unwanted states of mind. Paul Miller rightly says, “godlike posture without godlike power is pure tension.” Quit trying to act like the self-sufficient, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-wise God, and live like you were designed to live—dependent on God. Unceasing prayer serves as a reminder of our unceasing dependence on God.
Accomplish more and worry less this 2016 by committing to be a person who “prays without ceasing.” If you’re committed to “praying without ceasing,” but don’t know where to start, I’ll show you how in the next post.
Really needed this Today!!!
Glad it was helpful, John!